THORNABY have made a flying start in their bid to regain a Premier Division place at the first attempt.

THORNABY have made a flying start in their bid to regain a Premier Division place at the first attempt.

But life in Darlington Building Society NYSD Division One is set to be far from easy this season, for while Thornaby have won three and drawn one of their opening four games, there are two teams above them.

Sedgefield and Whitby set the early pace, but Thornaby skipper Mark Bould is looking on the bright side and hoping the sun shines on his side.

“At our ground we are usually under water - or at least very wet - at this time of year,” he said. “We were affected by the weather at Richmond last week and had to settle for a draw.”

The sides meet again tomorrow, this time at Thornaby, and Mark hopes that the weather stays fine this time, though rain again threatens according to the forecast.

“We chose to bat last week when showers threatened,” he added. “The game was high scoring, despite starting late and maybe in hindsight we should have bowled first. But the aim to be positive and try and win every game.”

With a two up, two down format introduced for the first time this season - a decision which had the support of around two thirds of the clubs - there is greater scope for those seeking a top flight berth.

Even so, to be promoted Thornaby will need a tightly-knit, focussed group of players, as the skipper explained: “In four games so far we have used only 12 players. Obviously we will have to turn to more than that over the season, but we need to keep a strong settled side.

“Last season when we were relegated, we used around 30 players. It’s hard to get continuity and spirit with that many.

“We got on well with each other but the team was fragmented. This season so far everyone is playing with a smile on his face.

“That makes my job so much easier, because as skipper you need to look at the side and see happy faces. And the more games you win, the more the players are determined to make themselves available.

“When you look at the top teams over the years, the likes of Marton and Guisborough, you can name their best 11 or 12 players. You need that if you are going to be winners.”

Batsman Paul Allen and Michael Muldowney have given Thornaby solid starts, and with the experienced Ian McDonald, who has enjoyed a long career with the club, is giving stability and backbone, several home-grown players have flourished and are in the first team.

“We lost five good players, including our two professionals,” explained Mark, “so we are rebuilding, but doing it with a lot of Thornaby lads which helps.

“But we have also added Omar Shahid from Boro, and he has brought his brother along.

“It looks set for a good season, especially if we get the weather. Throughout the league so far scores of over 200 for teams have become the norm, and that’s because the wickets are as dry as they normally are in July and August.

“It makes it hard to take 10 wickets to win games when bowling second, but that’s the challenge at times.”

Leading teams Whitby and Sedgefield were not in the league a few seasons ago, but are now the teams to beat.

Sedgefield have been boosted by the arrival of ex-Thornaby spinner Leigh Beaumont, while Whitby are something of an unknown quantity.

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